Calling experts on Ireland
 

I need some expert advise please. We are thinking of going to Ireland during Dec/Jan and want to know if the weather is that bad and if castles and etc. will be open? I realize it will be cold and rainy. Will driving be a problem because of the weather? Any advise will be welcome. Thank you and happy travels!

C'mon all you people living in Ireland,you know the winter weather..answer this person . :)

Percy - It was late when the original post occured. Give the locals a chance to sleep, etc....

Not Commited enough to answer questions @ 3.30am just don't know what Irish hospitality is coming too.

It will be cold, It will be wet, the days will be short.

2010 was snow and sub zero, 2011 was floods in Dublin. 2012 was fairly decent bit cold, bit wet 2013 will be whatever it will be.

Lots of the Heritage Ireland places close down the end of September until St Pat's (Never St Patty's!!) Bunratty is the only one of Shannon Heritage properties staying open.

Of course if that's the only time you have available then you will be made welcome, the warmth of the people and the scenery will be here and I believe that no matter how the weather is it will be better than the NY weather the same time.

The only item where I beg to differ is that many major heritage sites close for winter.
The "big ones" from Rock of Cashel to Clonmacnoise are open all year - though with limited hours in winter.
The only problem would be the "Christmas time" period, which can be from Dec 25 or bit sooner till New Year when many place are indeed fully closed down.
If you have identified the sights you "must" see, I'd inquire at each place if and how long they shut down for Christmas.

I had rather pleasant winter stays in Ireland (always go from Christmas until first days of January), crisp frosty sunny days, miserable rainy days, mild days which hardly required a jacket, or days that combined all three in one.

When the island gets hit with several days of freezing temperatures and - even worse - real snowfalls, driving does become a problem. Neither are the cars equipped with winter tyres nor have the counties enough gritting and plowing machinery to keep things running.
So driving can be very dangerous, especially in the late or morning hours when black ice builds up easily on roads in the humid climate.
In a "typical" Irish winter, though, when temps go below freezing on less days than you have fingers on one hand, it's usually no issue to drive.
Except that it gets dark early - and you may wish to avoid driving long stretches on not well marked regional or local roads after sunset. On national roads this is not an issue.

Thank you so much for your honest replies. Think we will wait until things are open and the days are longer. Want to see Ireland so was trying to push the envelope a bit. Have 6 weeks off from mid Dec. to mid Jan. and have run out of warm places to visit.

Rastsguytoday:

Oksy get back to bed.
I-)

Malta? Think that might be on my Christmas wish list.

Surprisingly us Irish folk are enjoying some rare summer sunshine! Given that the weather is UNPREDICTABLE, It can rain, snow, be sunny, be warm, be cold anytime of the year, I think we give up the on the 4 seasons!

Generally however winter is drier, less rain, I remember Christmas 2011 it was 13c/55f which is warm for December! flashback Christmas 2010 and we seen more snow than the alps! But when it rains in Ireland its like a Canadian airport in a snow blizzard we don't shut shop..so tourist attractions will be open however like mentioned winter days are shorter, sunrise 9am/sunset 3/4pm versus summer sunrise 4am/sunset 11pm! makes it alot easier to get around and see stuff in the brighter summer months.